On June 8th, 1995 Anthony Frank III’s eyes opened. From the moment he arrived, it was evident to all who encountered him that he carried a sense of purity, love and light that far exceeded the worthiness of the world.

He was greeted by the faces of Renee Frank (Mamone) and Anthony Frank Jr., who could hardly believe their prayers for a precious baby boy had finally been answered. He would remain the coveted baby of his family until his final day. If the love received from these two doting, young parents were all the love he’d ever go on to know, he would have received more in a week’s time than many had in a lifetime.

But the list of those who’d go on to know and adore him would grow so exponentially that even now, Renee and Anthony (TJ) are in disbelief at the continued accounts of the connections he’s forged and the impact he’s left.

But, first, they would spend the next several years trying to wrestle him from the tight grasp of his eldest sister, Elizabeth Moyer (Frank), who was often too zealous in squeezing his cheeks and adorning him in obscure garments (nightgowns and cowboy hats included); as well as his second-eldest sister, Anna Griffiths (Frank), who similarly treated him like a babydoll, but more often ended up having to seize her own hair from the grasp of his chubby, claw-like baby fists.

As recently as this past summer, Elizabeth was still making active attempts at styling her handsome little brother (if you’d seen him well-dressed, it was probably as a result of him having conceded to said attempts, in exchange for his famous blue basketball shorts). He and his sister Anna were mistaken as twins since they were babies. Their shared love of games and hobbies made them feel like twins even into adulthood.

His death marks the first occasion for which Anthony has ever been early.

“Where is Anthony?” the halls of any party or occasion would echo. It is reasonable to expect that his closest family members — brothers-in-law Stephen Moyer and Alexander Griffiths, Grandma Thomasine Frank, Uncle Angelo Mamone, Aunt Annemarie Jenkins, Aunt Maryjane Slater, and cousins Ashlee Cain, Pat Cain, Emmi Cain, Casen Cain, Blaise Fannin, Mike Fannin, Jule Shoaf and Rebekah Shoaf may mistakenly echo them again.

But, at last, we know where he is.

He is spending time with his grandmother, Anne Mamone, who, unbeknownst to her, had secondarily attributed to a portion of his tardiness. You see, the lavish locks he’d spent time taming were grown as an ode to her cancer battle. He routinely donated them in her honor.

And he’s discussing world history with his grandfather, Jack Mamone, who spent nearly every evening of his own life hoisting his (then) sole grandson onto his lap in order to share with him an expansive knowledge of the antiques he’d collected and from which era they had come.

Anthony is most certainly in the embrace of his great aunt, Mary Jane Marshall, who doted on him to an extent only his own mother could rival (and that’s a tremendous feat).

And, finally, he is meeting his guardian angel — his grandfather, Anthony Frank Sr., whose passing had narrowly preceded Anthony’s own birth. This would be a union to behold.

While Anthony kept in touch with many treasured relatives, included Uncle Michael Frank, Aunt Janice Rocke, and cousins Talon and Quanah, there is no doubt where his absence will be most felt.

You see, despite an impressive college career as an double-major in Economics and Business Administration, followed by immense success as a professional underwriter, his biggest accomplishments come in the form of the smallest of creatures — his beloved cats, Biggie and Popeye, to which he was a proud “Cat Dad”; and the precious relationships he shared with his nieces and nephews — Arabella, Amelia and Alexander Griffiths, and Estella, Nara and Damon Moyer. None of them are shy in admitting that he was their favorite uncle. Unabashedly, no one else could compare.

Please join us in celebrating Anthony’s life on Friday, November 21 from 4-7 PM, and/or on Saturday November 22 from 11-1 PM at William & Roger DeCarbo Funeral Home, 926 Cunningham Avenue. A service will follow Saturday’s viewing.

In ode to Anthony’s many hobbies and interests, odes to gaming, anime, Star Wars and the like will be celebrated. Please feel free to represent these passions in any way you’ve shared them with him, or as you see fit.